Children's intake of ultra-processed foods spikes significantly between toddlerhood and middle childhood, raising concerns over long-term health impacts like higher sodium and sugar consumption and reduced fiber intake. Study: Ultra-processed food intake in toddlerhood and mid-childhood in the UK: cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives . Image Credit: Oksana Kumina / Shutterstock.
com A recent European Journal of Nutrition study examines ultra-processed (UPF) food consumption trends between toddlerhood and middle childhood. Shaping healthy eating habits from toddlerhood Higher sodium intake among toddlers: Toddlers in the highest UPF consumption quintile consumed 32% more sodium than their peers in the lowest quintile, emphasizing the potential long-term health risks from early exposure to high-sodium foods. Early meal experiences influence meal choices and eating habits later in life.
Repeated exposure to various vegetables in infancy and toddlerhood increases the acceptance of these healthy foods into childhood and promotes good eating habits. Meta-analyses have reported associations between high UPF intake and increased fat, saturated fat, and free sugar intake. Comparatively, excessive consumption of UPF foods is associated with low protein, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium intake.
The hyper-palatability of UPFs contributes to their increased consumption. Many children are overweight or obese when they enter school, with the prevalence of obesity increasing by the ti.